Circle of care serves community health services

Restaurant raises funds for Saint Anthony Capital Campaign

CROWN POINT Circle Restaurant and Bar cooked up a combination platter of fine cuisine and community support that raised $1,500 to support the Saint Anthony Medical Center Capital Campaign.

From left, Joe Allegretti, Saint Anthony Medical Center Capital Campaign chairman; Dave Ruskowski, medical center president; John and Ronda Dessauer; and Warren Johnson, Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Northern Indiana Region director of development, show off a check for $1,500 that was donated by the Dessauers to the Capital Campaign.

The Dessauers, owners of Circle Restaurant and Bar in Crown Point, contributed half of the proceeds the restaurant realized on Jan. 27 to benefit the campaign. The amount will be matched by an anonymous donor.

Owners John and Ronda Dessauer donated half of the restaurant’s Jan. 27 proceeds to the campaign, which has a goal of raising $4.5 million (half of which will be matched by anonymous donor) to help fund this year’s relocation of St. Clare Clinic and a renovation of its Pre-Natal Center, both of which provide services for the underprivileged.

Funds also will be used to enhance services at Franciscan Point, Saint Anthony’s recently opened outpatient health complex.

So far, the campaign has raised about $1.8 million, including the matching funds, since it was launched a year ago. It is the first such campaign since Saint Anthony opened in 1974.
John Dessauer said the restaurant’s total $3,000 proceeds the day of the fund-raiser, a Tuesday, were at least double those of a normal Tuesday.

“The fund drive absolutely was the reason (for the increase in business). Normally, we take in $1,200 to $1,500. People I never saw here before came in. A couple from Highland said they saw the article (publicizing the event) and came in to support the program. Other customers said the same.”

Dessauer said Saint Anthony is a worthwhile cause because it “always has played a role in the community as a cornerstone for people seeking medical attention and who are concerned about health.”

He said the partnership also helps the restaurant, which opened in 2005, because “people take notice of our giving, which helps advertising and the community.”

David Ruskowski, Saint Anthony Medical Center president, agreed.“We are most grateful to John and Ronda for their generosity. This was a true win-win and a unique fund-raising activity that provided great food and camaraderie.”

Warren Johnson, director of development for Saint Anthony’s parent, Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Northern Indiana Region, also expressed gratitude.

John and Ronda Dessauer, owners, stand before a packed house at Circle Restaurant and Bar in Crown Point on Jan. 27. They said the number of customers was about double the normal amount, due to the restaurant's announcement it planned to donate half of the proceeds from that day to the Saint Anthony Medical Center Capital Campaign.

“Our heartfelt thanks go to John and Ronda Dessauer and their Circle restaurant staff for making our first business fund-raiser a huge success. People from throughout the area turned out to fill the restaurant for great food, drinks and a fun time,” Johnson said.

Circle Restaurant and Bar is located at 110 S. Court St. For more information, call (219) 661-0101.